Carol Greene, MD U of Maryland School of Medicine

 WHAT a difference!  How different?  How DIFFERENT!  Why a difference?  Focusing on several elements of management for disorders of fatty acid oxidation,we will explore the extent of and reasons for the differences in management  Role-play – practical recognition of differences

 Diagnostic testing ◦ Biochemical, DNA, enzyme assay, and/or biopsy?  Length of fasting  Carnitine  Diet ◦ ? Cornstarch ◦ ? MCT ◦ ? Fat restriction  Monitoring and evaluation ◦ Routine ◦ When acutely ill

Fatty Acid Oxidation VLCAD LCHAD MCAD SCAD CPT 1 TRANS CPT2

LC FA - enters mitochondria only with carnitine to become a fatty acyl-CoA and to be burned for energy MC FA - enters mitochondria without carnitine to become a fatty acyl-CoA and to be burned for energy One molecule of long chain fat has more energy than one of medium chain fat Most of the fats in diet are long chain fats Most of the essential fatty acids are long chain

GenesDevelopmental MatrixEnvironment (Experiences) Major GeneAgeGeography ModifiersSexTime CognitionOccupation/Activity Behavioral AttributesDiet

 Can identification of the site of the block (biochemical testing and/or DNA testing) help to predict prognosis and guide management? ◦ Yes ◦ But not always and not perfectly  Can identification of the specific mutation (requires DNA testing) help to predict prognosis and guide management? ◦ Yes … and No

The ACADS genotype showed a statistically significant association with EMA and C4-C levels, but not with the clinical characteristics. Seven out of 8 SCADD relatives were free of symptoms. Van Maldgegem et al: 31 Dutch patients with SCAD and 8 affected relatives

Biochemical – analyte based Biochemical – enyzme /function DNA SensitivityTypically defines the condition; Some false negatives (VLCAD) Typically highVariable, may be >95%, for some conditions we do not know the gene SpecificityMay have false positives Typically highTypically very high but with possible variants of ?? significance CostUsually inexpensive Variable, can be inexpensive if blood assay Variable, now quite low for single gene Invasiveness /risk Typically lowVariable – blood low, muscle high Not invasive (unless prenatal). Possible other risks if testing family members

 Avoidance of fasting  Diet and monitoring– depends on specific diagnosis  ?? Carnitine supplement  Counseling, family screening as appropriate

 GMDI has developed guidelines for Medium Chain Acyl-CoA Dehydrogenase Deficiency (MCAD) and Very Long Chain Acyl-CoA Dehydrogenase Deficiency (VLCAD). GMDI is currently working with the Southeast Regional Genetics Collaborative to develop further guidelines and to validate the MCAD and VLCAD guidelines.  The GMDI guidelines are based on a review of the literature, presentations at professional meetings, personal communications, and established protocols at several large metabolic centers.

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 Diet composition in infancy: Regular infant formula or breast milk can be continued in MCADD infants. ….Formulas (and breast milk enhancers) containing MCT oil are not appropriate for the MCADD infant. See MCT in infant formulas  Diet composition in children and adults: Heart healthy diets with appropriate Kcal for age and size are recommended after infancy. Nutritional intervention may be needed to counsel individuals about meal planning so that they get approximately 30% of Kcal from fat, include fruits and vegetables on a daily basis, utilize complex carbohydrates, and avoid overfeeding or exceeding their kcal needs. … The popular very high protein/fat and low carbohydrate diets are not appropriate.

 Diet composition in infancy: Total fat intake from all fat sources (medium chain triglycerides (MCT), long chain fat and supplements) provides 40-45% of energy intake in infancy. In severe VLCADD characterized by cardiomyopathy and liver disease, long chain fat is restricted to 10 % and MCT to 30% of energy intake (7). For infants with moderate or mild forms of VLCADD, half of the fat calories are provided from MCT and half from long chain fat. An alternative method for determining the amount of MCT is provide 2-3 g MCT per kg body weight (5). Special formulas containing MCT are available for treatment of long chain fatty acid oxidation disorders. Breast milk or standard infant formulas may be used as the source of long chain fat. Protein should supply about 15% of energy intake.

 Low levels of carnitine observed in individuals with FAOx  Carnitine is life-saving in some carnitine metabolism disorders  Repletion of carnitine associated with improvement in chronic symptoms in various conditions  BUT

 Early study by C. Stanley  Single patient  Time fasting tolerated ◦ Without carnitine therapy ◦ After carnitine therapy started  14 hours  No change in time to metabolic crisis with IV carnitine

 GMDI: Carnitine: L-carnitine, which is synthesized endogenously, may become relatively depleted in MCADD as it remains conjugated to the accumulated medium chain fatty acids and is excreted as the acylcarnitine. Recommended dosages for infants are mg/kg. The need for, and the amount of, supplemetation in children and adults is determined by monitoring plasma free carnitine concentration according to the individual clinic's protocols. A plasma free carnitine in the micromolar range is a usual goal.  NO consensus on use of Carnitine in MCADD

 GMDI: L-Carnitine: Plasma free carnitine is often low in VLCADD as fatty acids conjugate with carnitine and are excreted as acylcarnitine. Supplementation is recommended by some centers. The dose is mg/kg, beginning with the lower dose in infancy.  NO consensus on use of Carnitine in VLCADD

 Intestinal microbiota metabolism of l- carnitine, a nutrient in red meat, promotes atherosclerosis  Koeth et al (senior author Hazen)  Nature Medicine  Volume: 19,Pages:576–585:(2013) Nature Medicine Volume: 19, Pages: 576–585 Year published: (2013) DOI:

 Intestinal microbiota metabolism of choline and phosphatidylcholine produces trimethylamine (TMA), which is further metabolized to a proatherogenic species, trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO). We demonstrate here that metabolism by intestinal microbiota of dietary l-carnitine, a trimethylamine abundant in red meat, also produces TMAO and accelerates atherosclerosis in mice. Omnivorous human subjects produced more TMAO than did vegans or vegetarians following ingestion of l-carnitine through a microbiota-dependent mechanism. The presence of specific bacterial taxa in human feces was associated with both plasma TMAO concentration and dietary status. Plasma l-carnitine levels in subjects undergoing cardiac evaluation (n = 2,595) predicted increased risks for both prevalent cardiovascular disease (CVD) and incident major adverse cardiac events (myocardial infarction, stroke or death), but only among subjects with concurrently high TMAO levels. Chronic dietary l-carnitine supplementation in mice altered cecal microbial composition, markedly enhanced synthesis of TMA and TMAO, and increased atherosclerosis, but this did not occur if intestinal microbiota was concurrently suppressed. In mice with an intact intestinal microbiota, dietary supplementation with TMAO or either carnitine or choline reduced in vivo reverse cholesterol transport. Intestinal microbiota may thus contribute to the well-established link between high levels of red meat consumption and CVD risk.

 All this time, we physicians have warned you about the risks of eating too much red meat. We worried that the high saturated fat and cholesterol content was damaging to your heart; however, we got it wrong. Red meat is still linked to an increased risk of heart disease, but it’s not just from the fat. New research points to a substance found in red meat called L-carnitine. This new research suggests that L-carnitine, either from red meat or taken in supplement form, poses a threat to your heart. Prior to the latest research, we’ve promoted this supplement on this show. Researchers claimed that it could increase energy, speed up weight loss, and improve athletic performance. Some energy drinks add L-carnitine for this reason. Now, I’m saying DON’T take it!

 CARNITINE AND INBORN ERRORS OF METABOLISM: We appreciate the concern of patients and families following recent report inNature Medicine * that higher carnitine intake in diet can lead to production in the intestine of metabolites that may lead to increased risk of atherosclerosis later in life. These new data remind us of the need to consider and carefully study the risks and benefits of all treatments for metabolic disorders. Nevertheless, and respecting the possible importance of this finding for public health, the professional societies undersigned also point out that individuals with some inborn or acquired errors of metabolism are prescribed carnitine therapy by their health care providers in an effort to protect from various severe consequences of their underlying medical condition. Individuals who have been prescribed carnitine for treatment of an inborn or acquired error of metabolism should consult with their health care provider before making any changes in therapies or any other medical management.  Society for Inherited Metabolic Disorders Society for the Study of Inborn Errors of Metabolism Mitochondrial Medicine Society Genetic Metabolic Dietitians International The Garrod Association

Fatty Acid Oxidation

 PRO  CON  Not always accurate  Normal level falsely reassuring  Low level is LATE

 And how does each ◦ Specialty ◦ Country ◦ Clinic ◦ Health care provider ◦ family  Add to and use the evidence to guide monitoring and management for each individual

 A family calls you for support; their child has recently been diagnosed with ◦ MCADD ◦ SCADD ◦ VLCADD ◦ LCHADD  They tell you they’ve just heard from their ◦ pediatrician, metabolic doctor, state health department, emergency room physician that …..